MSC #4 race report (results on the way)

I raced the fourth installment of the Mountain States Cup last Saturday at Snowmass. The course will be used later this summer for a NORBA Nationals race, so I was glad to get a feel for it. Expert Ladies raced one long lap, one short, beginning at 11:03am. One long lap, one short, both beginning with a long, boring slog most of the way up the mountain. This climb was almost completely on unshaded cat track, exposing us to the full brunt of the noonday sun. This was tough for me. Long climbs and high temperatures are my greatest weaknesses, but I stuck to it, taking full advantage of the neutral water zones to both drink up and douse myself.
The singletrack that followed made it all worth the while. Almost all downhill, flowing trail, with tight corners and a fair dose of small rocks--after riding the Monarch Crest on the Fourth of July, I was feeling at the absolute TOP of my game on this descent. I can fairly say I hauled the mail on that section. And I was very flattered by the complements I got from my competitors about my descending.
Next, the short loop split off for a very quick drop down to the finish. But my first lap I couldn't take the easy way down. The long loop went through another section of descending singletrack, this time more loose dirt and rocky. Again, I was really feeling that section. It wasn't to last. Soon we turned back uphill for a climb that universally demoralized anyone on it. It hurt. I took forever to get up the second climb. Finally, another quick descent back to the point where the short loop broke off, and down to the finish.
So, how did I do? Well, little problem there. Something went wrong with the timing. Usually we get results within an hour or so of finishing, but today, Thursday, many days later, there are still no results posted. Bummer. All I can tell you is that I certainly did not win.

Coming up on the race schedule: This weekend is the Breckenridge 100 and Breckenridge 63. I'll be doing the "short" race--only 63 miles. Wish me luck.